Dardanup Shire council to investigate road safety measures for Hayward Street after residents voice concerns

Concerns over road safety along a 700m long straight stretch of road in Dardanup has prompted an investigation by the local council over measures to reduce excess speed. The Dardanup Shire Council is set to investigate the costings of various speed mitigation measures and explore options to install a speed monitor, after receiving a petition from resident Alan Rowson, calling on the shire to install speed humps along Hayward Street in Dardanup. The petition contained 23 signatures, all of which were from residents that live on the street in question, which connects between Charlotte Street and Ferguson Road, with Dardanup Primary School also in the area. In a letter that was sent to the council on March 29, Mr Rowson described Hayward Street as “an approximate 700m straight flat stretch of road” and that no traffic warning signs are in place. “My property front window overlooks Hayward Street and during the past few months I have observed all types of vehicles, travelling fast and well above the required 50km/h speed,” the letter read. “Speed humps should be placed on level roads as a change in incline can make the hump functionally higher. “They are better suited for local roads where low speeds are preferred but full stops are not necessary or convenient. “Excessive speeders are also deterred. “These effects translate to fewer accidents — children are less likely to be struck by cars in neighbourhoods where speed humps are installed.” Shire of Dardanup Infrastructure director Theo Naude recommended that an investigation needed to be conducted to ascertain the issues that need to be resolved and how to address them. Mr Naude also recommended traffic classifiers be installed along the street to obtain real traffic data, such as the volume of traffic for different times and travelling speed data, as well as installing a radar speed sign to draw the attention of motorists by indicating the speeds they are travelling at.